Pitching it up for the Hospice By Elaine Thomson, Senior Fundraiser
With over 45 golf courses to choose from, it’s no surprise that Ayrshire hosts numerous fantastic charity golf days, many of which benefit the Ayrshire Hospice.
“You do your best to look after the person, but it’s constant...”
Stewart McKay hosted his annual golf day in memory of his brother Derek, raising an impressive £3,700 this year. Hamish Gaffney from Redburn Golf Club organised a Texas Scramble at Annanhill Golf Course, which raised £3,844. David Bennett held the inaugural Glen Lawlor Golf Day at St. Cuthberts Prestwick Golf Club, raising £909.50. He hopes to make this an annual event, alternating between Scotland and Ireland.
Ladies Captain Margo Simpson selected the Ayrshire Hospice as her charity of the year, raising an amazing £465 from her event at Ballochmyle Golf Club. Another event at Ballochmyle Golf Club was organised by Keith Savory, raising £511 for the Hospice. Many thanks to everyone who supported these events or participated!
Living with and caring for a loved one who has been diagnosed with a life shortening and life limiting illness can leave you feeling isolated and overwhelmed. Beyond the initial shock of learning that a loved one will require palliative and end of life care, it can be a physically and emotionally draining time for many.
the patient for a few hours when required and when appropriate. This allows carers the time to enjoy a break, whether that’s meeting a friend for lunch, watching a child or grandchild’s school play, or doing other everyday things that many take for granted. Being able to switch off for a couple of hours, knowing their loved one is in the capable hands of a trained palliative care professional, offers much needed relief. Alec and Nancy found happiness later in life after experiencing great sadness in their younger years, making their time together all the more meaningful. Their journey with the Ayrshire Hospice is one shared by many families across Ayrshire and Arran. As we reflect on and remember loved ones passed during the Light up a Life appeal, you can read more about their story overleaf.
Help our lottery grow By Ron Swanson, Fundraising Manager We are currently seeking a Lottery Canvasser to join our existing team, which helps raise over half a million pounds each year for the Ayrshire Hospice.
Nancy’s husband, Alec, was a patient of the Ayrshire Hospice from August 2023 to March 2024. His diagnosis was given as probable lung cancer. Sadly, the disease was not curative and referral to the palliative care team had been made. Many patients known to the Ayrshire Hospice wish for their care to be delivered whilst they remain in their own home and our role as a Hospice care team is to support patients and their families in fulfilling this wish. We are dedicated to putting patients and their families at the heart of all decisions we make. Ensuring a patient is as comfortable as possible, enabling them to live their life as fully as they can, requires a team effort. Clinicians, therapists,
specialist nurses and carers work together to offer this support. Even with such assistance available, providing care 24 hours a day, seven days a week is a significant undertaking for a loved one. The Ayrshire Hospice recognises this. While supporting the patient, the Hospice also addresses the needs of carers, offering support to help them cope and where possible, make life just a little bit easier. Something as simple as meeting a friend for a coffee can become an enormous challenge when caring for a loved one who may be in the final months or weeks of life. Designed with the carers needs in mind, the ‘respite’ part of the service provides regular support by referring a member of the Hospice team to sit with
In 2023, £529,784.69 was raised from the Ayrshire Hospice Lottery and that amount is raised thanks to the work of a small band who promote the weekly prize draw.
“Personally motivated, knowing that your efforts and drive are making a meaningful and sustainable difference and contributing to the ongoing care and loving support provided by the Hospice.” A Lottery Canvasser will promote the Ayrshire Hospice Lottery and the work of the Hospice to the public. Canvassers can travel throughout Ayrshire, both door-to-door and at various venues/events to sign up members. The working hours of a Lottery Canvasser are flexible and can be agreed with the Hospice Fundraising Team. You’ll be offered a competitive commission rate, and our Fundraising Team will be on hand to support you every step of the way. Anyone interested should contact Ron Swanson, Fundraising Manager on 01292 288488 or email ron.swanson@ayrshirehospice.org to apply or for further information.
Current Lottery Canvasser, Ron
Swanson Snr, finds the role extremely rewarding. He said, “The role of an Ayrshire Hospice
Canvasser is stimulating,
motivating and rewarding. It’s a wonderful
opportunity to engage and interact with so many interesting people, whilst sharing the dynamic, life- changing story of the Ayrshire Hospice.
November 2024 | EDITION 38
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